Why don't the NHS explore other treatment plans, other than Chem, etc, which are so destructive and actually kills so many patients.

[Uruk_hai]

Other treatments include Baking Soda to raise the body's PH, ( Oncologist Dr. T. Simoncini advocates this effective harmless method), Cayenne pepper etc. Chemo has not helped many surely the less toxic treatments should at least be explored ??? It's not right that Big Pharma, the makers of Chemo chemicals have a stranglehold on therapy... WE all know why $$$$$$$$.

[Zarathrustra]

I'm guessing, having been asking this question too for many years:

The NHS is run by the medical profession, which values tradition (only about 25% of treatments are evidence-based; most are inherited). Overturning accepted methods requires immense effort, and very expensive research involving hundreds of patients to prove new techniques - which only large pharmaceutical companies can do, if they make profits. No profits, no drugs - and most drugs are beneficial. There's nothing wrong with profits in themselves - without surplus money over investment, there'd be no advance or support for disasters.

Doctors are highly educated and generally sincere and caring people, who are quite aware of the arguments. They do not lightly treat.

So given the weight of a doctors' training, medical science driven by the need (and it is a need) to make a profit, and the desire to do what is thought best by one's peers, off-the-wall treatments find it difficult to be accepted. But if such treatments are correct, eventually they will win through - alas, probably too late for patients who are failing present treatments.

I too have similar criticisms of the NHS - it has lots of money, so why doesn't it do the research to see if these alternatives work I ask? In general, because the NHS is a delivery service, not a research organisation (tho' it does some).

But take heart: there is no stranglehold on treatment - there is the Internet now; there are alternative doctors and treatment centers; there are books; doctors are increasingly answerable and prepared to discuss; we can self-treat (evidence is that those who do this do better than those who don't). Patients are getting together to press for change; supportive networks are growing to both press for changes and to support each other in this.

Together we will win and get better.

[Tammycatone]

My husband has lung cancer we thought surgery would be the only cure,we were told that the illness is "put in a box" along with treatment plan,when you are diagnosed the consultant and team look "in the box" and that what you get.